Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Avoid Dangerous Household Toxins For Good Health

By Angella Spinney

There is a very real need to avoid dangerous household toxins today. There is an abundance of toxic household chemicals in most households. Although many of the products that we buy contain chemical toxins, unfortunately most are masked under products that a consumer will assume is perfectly harmless.

In reality, they are actually very dangerous. Often, when a homeowner can not directly see, smell, taste, or feel a toxin, complacency replaces precaution. Consumers assume that the manufacturers would never market a product that could cause long term health problems. This blanket asumption of product safety can make it hard to avoid dangerous household toxins.

Products like: bleach, air freshener, laundry detergent, etc all contain chemicals that can pose a danger to the home and family. However, you will not find many of these ingredients listed on the product label. For example, the FDA does not require manufacturers to list the ingredients used in laundry products and air fresheners. Furthermore, the FDA does not require any product to list fragrance ingredients.

Is it difficult to avoid dangerous household toxins? For many, the answer is yes. The lack of information on household products has prompted many private groups to conduct ingredient research. What researchers have found in the way of listed and unlisted toxic chemicals that are used in our products are astounding.

If there ever was a golden example as to why consumers need to avoid dangerous household toxins, just take a look at air fresheners. Although they are marketed as a refreshing and needed addition to the home, air fresheners contain a number of toxic chemicals.

Plug in and aerosol air fresheners are particularly dangerous. The chemicals are broken into tiny particles when released; allowing for deep inhalation into the lungs. Most air fresheners will contain: naphthalene, formaldehyde, xylene, crestol, ethanol, phenol, and fragrances.

Formaldehyde is a known cancer causing agent. Naphthalene, is a suspected cancer causing agent. Xylene, is a neurotoxin and reproductive toxin.

Most consumers have no idea that laundry products (soap, fabric softener, dryer sheets) allow volatile organic compounds to evaporate into the air. Fabric softeners may contain quarternary ammonium compounds and imidazolidinyl, which release formaldehyde as they are heated. Soaps may contain Ethoxylated nonyl phenol, which can disrupt hormone balances.

Bleach is a strong corrosive. Fumes or direct contact can burn the skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract. It can be lethal, or do permanent liver damage if ingested. Like all powerful chemicals, bleach is potentially very dangerous. Chlorine bleach, in particular, is very reactive. Chlorine gas is also a respiratory irritant - it reacts with the moisture on the mucous membranes in the nose and throat and forms acids which burn the membranes. It can also burn the skin.

Of course, the best way to avoid dangerous household toxins, is not just to avoid buying products containing dangerous chemicals, but to remove all hazardous chemical products out of the home as soon as possible! There are long term health risks that are scientifically documented to occur by exposure to dangerous household chemicals. Don't take a chance with your health! The chemical manufacturers have stockholders they have to please and are concerned, not about your health, but about their return on investment! If you are serious about your health and the health of your family, you have to educate yourself and on these insidious health hazards and once identified, immediately remove the toxins from the home! - 16004

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